ITS UP TO ALL OF US- AN UnConference on Learning and Technology

A few weekends ago I attended the UP TO ALL OF US un-conference in Sedona, Arizona with 50 other folks who are enthusiasts, professionals, admirers of learning and technology. 

SPACE FOR SERVICES- WORKSHOP FOR ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS

OVERVIEW:

More and more, space can be considered a platform for dynamic experiences, not a just a static container. So, how can designers prepare to design spaces that empower a more mobile, personal and participatory experience?[1]

How to Teach Visual Thinking and Storytelling

I was recently asked to give some advice on how to go about teaching a Visual Thinking and Storytelling course and realized I had a lot to offer, but had never condensed it into a synopsis/example listing. So here is version 1.0 of my recommendations (version 2.0 will be coming soon)

VISUALIZING STORIES

WHAT WE DID:
The NYCer jammers were encouraged to spend 48 hours of one weekend (really only 8 hours when you added it all up) designing a new service system in groups of 4 to 8 people.

The theme of the jam was: SUPERHEROES
How we decided to use this theme was up to each group.

OUR FOCUS: Our group was interested in looking for new ways to learn. We ended up creating a new service for highly motivated, undeserved learners as an on-line platform.

WHY WE DID IT:
We were inspired by Steve, an attendee of the service design workshop, who came to learn more about service design as a way to evolve out of his current job title. We thought he could use this service to learn more about Service Design as well as many other ‘out of the box’ learning subjects.

HOW WE DID IT:
Our deliverable was a story/story board. Check out our work here:

DRAWING FOR THINKERS

At the end of February 2011, Burlix led DRAWING FOR THINKERS, a 2-hour workshop teaching drawing skills as a way to diagram and think through tough problems. The event was hosted at the Teach for America headquarters in mid-town Manhattan and organized by the amazing folks at Vizthink.